Earl Dennis Spatz

Earl Dennis Spatz, 95, Topeka, passed away on November 30, 2022 at McCrite Plaza Health Center.

Earl was born December 20, 1926, to Wilson Althouse and Doris Mary (Williams) Spatz in Lebo, Coffey County, Kansas. Earl graduated from Olivet High School in May 1944. He served in the United States Marine Corps from March 10, 1945, to August 21, 1946. He graduated from Kansas State Teachers College, Emporia, Kansas with a bachelor’s degree in May 1950.

Earl married Josephine Lorraine Thorne, on June 3, 1951, in Lebo, Kansas and they celebrated 71 years of marriage. They have two daughters, Denise Diane, and Cynthia Jo. Earl worked as an accountant/bookkeeper for several companies until Sept 1955 when he entered employment with the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Company and retired as Office Manager of the Communications Department on August 17, 1985.

Earl always had a project. He and family members built their retirement home in Olivet, Kansas and they moved into the home in April 1983. He and Josephine built a pole barn together at their house in Olivet after his retirement. He led the demolition of the Olivet School House and built back a community building on the land with the help of many Olivet townspeople. The community surprised him by naming the building after him. He was proud of the “Spatz Community Building.” When his grandkids became of age to move into their own homes, Earl helped them remodel the homes and along the way tried to teach them construction fundamentals and how to “do things right.” Having a project made him happy!

Earl served on the Board of Directors of Coffey County Rural Water District No. 3, Osage County Fire District No. 3, Olivet City Council and Public Wholesale Water Supply District No. 2.

Earl and Jo missed very few sports games and school events their grandkids were involved in. He often said that those years were the best years of his life. He was extremely proud of each of them and their accomplishments.

Earl is survived by his wife, Josephine; his two daughters, Denise (Mike) Garrett, Wakarusa, KS and Cindy Smith, Topeka, KS; one brother, Harlan Spatz, Overland Park, KS; five grandchildren, Brett (Cherie) Garrett, Jessica Zeller, Nicholas (Catherine) Smith, Emily (Tyler) Dieker, Kyle (Lindsay) Smith. Nine great-grandchildren, Brecken, Daxton, and Rhys Garrett, Hadley Zeller, Victoria and Benjamin Smith, Tessa and Colette Dieker, and Sawyer Smith.

Memorial contributions to support the maintenance of the Spatz Community Building, Olivet, KS can be sent in care of Jones VanArsdale Funeral Home, 107 West 6th Street, Lebo, Kansas 66856.

Earl was an example of a life well-lived, and his family will miss his advice on projects and life.